Going back to Guatemala in 2008 was a thrill. Life along the street in Fátima was so different than two years ago, last time I was there. Instead of seeing women gathering at the creek with their dishes, I was seeing women visiting with each other in their yards. There was more music coming from houses than I remembered, and lights popping on at 3AM when the women were getting up to fix breakfast for their husbands.
The difference? Fátima has power and water! Thanks to so many people who contributed in 2006 and 2007 to help make this happen. What I can pass along is how deeply grateful the families are for your help and donations. They were blown away that so many people would help them finish their projects, and make these enormous changes in their community.
I spent a morning with Ruben, walking around Fátima and seeing the work that's been accomplished.
Every family has a spigot in their yard. This part of the project was a community one, with everyone pitching in to get all the spigots installed. The men also installed a drainage system for the waste water, removing the standing water puddles that were creating a health problem.
Women can now wash dishes and laundry in their own backyards, and don't have to carry everything to the creek several times each day. This also means that the girls have more time to be in school rather than having to help haul the laundry back and forth.
When a family was able to afford a pila, and get it installed, washing dishes became even more convenient, and probably a lot more sanitary.
The next step was being able to install an outdoor toilet with piped water for flushing, and a private shower. They are moving from old latrines, with no good way of disposing of the waste, to toilets with a piped waste system.
The new toilets offer dignity, as well as better sanitation and health since the new drainage pipes carry the waste away from the backyard. Not many of the families have gotten this far, as the concrete block and the rebar needed for the supports is expensive.
This family has purchased the blocks, and is hoping to build an enclosure for their toilet soon.
Even the new elementary school in Fátima has been wired with lights in the classrooms, and is awaiting the next step of furnishings, supplies, and teachers before it can open.
Over and over, I heard from parents that they were so appreciative of the electricity, because now their children were able to do their homework in the evenings.
¡Gracias! ¡Gracias! ¡Gracias! is what the families want to send to everyone who has helped them get this far with their community projects. They are proud of their achievements, and so immensely grateful for the financial help we've been able to give them. Thanks to all!
Friends of the Community La Escuela de la Montaña Guatemala Copyright 2009
